Louisiana Tech No Match For Tigers

Chansi Stuckey's diving 34 yard touchdown catch put the Tigers up 24-0 in the second quarter.

CLEMSON - Tommy Bowden's concerns about a poor practice early in the week might have been an indicator of trouble in years past.

Not this time.

Clemson eclipsed the 50-point mark for the second straight game and third time this season Saturday night, pummeling visiting Louisiana Tech, 51-0, at Death Valley. It was Clemson's first shutout since blanking The Citadel back in 2000.

The Tigers (4-1) dominated from the outset, again using a punishing ground game and complementary passing from Will Proctor.

“It was just one of those games where everything went right," said Clemson wide receiver Chansi Stuckey. "The coaches and the seniors
had stressed all week to avoid a letdown. We did that.”

James Davis (11 carries, 143 yards) cleared the 100-yard mark early in the second quarter. His 64-yard touchdown run started the Clemson onslaught in the first quarter, and he later added another score (four yards) for his fourth consecutive game with two touchdowns.

Davis now has 11 scores on the season.

Meanwhile, freshman C.J. Spiller had an up-and-down evening.

On the upside, the explosive tailback ran for a career-high 127 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter. But he also fumbled twice, though neither came at a time when the outcome was in question.

Even third string tailback Demerick Chancellor got in on the act, rushing for 113 yards on the evening. It marked the first time since 1982 that the Tigers had three back crack the century mark on the same evening.

“When you can run like that, it sets up so many other things,” said Clemson Head Coach Bowden. “It really makes it difficult on the defense with all the different formations that we can throw at them. There is no doubt that the running game helps.”

On the flip side, Clemson's defense intercepted Bulldogs' quarterbacks four times, one of which was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Nick Watkins early in the third quarter.

“I think with the way our schedule sets up, you have to ride on the shoulders of the
defense to get where we want to go,” Bowden said.

That score came three plays after Tiger freshman Jacoby Ford returned the second half kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, his second special teams score of the season. Ford later fumbled a punt away late in the game.

Meanwhile, quarterback Will Proctor had an easy time of it. The fifth-year senior was 5-of-8 for 100 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown pass to Chansi Stuckey.

“I have played some top five teams in my tenure and I feel like they are one of them,” said Louisiana Tech Head Coach Jack Bicknell. ”They just have outstanding athletes. Their offensive line is as physical as I’ve seen. Their defensive ends are what you would put on a picture of a defensive end.”

Proctor gave way in the second half to backup Cullen Harper, who tossed the first scoring pass of his career in the third quarter - a two-yard pass to fullback Alex Pearson. Third string quarterback Tribble Reese also saw action in the final period.